Here is the latest harvest from our small farm behind the nursery. The peppers are really coming along strong. Jalapeno, Padrone, Fresno Chili, and more. Rattlesnake and purple beans are ready. "Rattlesnake Beans" are a tender, refreshing edible podded bean. Beautiful, 7 inch long, purple striped green beans appear on tall plants in summer. When pods are left on the plant to mature and dry, they reveal auburn and brown speckled seeds that are scrumptious in warming winter soups and stews. "Purple Podded Beans", are a delicious heirloom discovered in the Ozark mountains by Henry Fields in the 1930’s and is still requested by many old-timers of this region. The pods are bright purple, stringless, and tender.

Zucchini and cucumbers (both slicing and pickling) are also available. All organically grown right here!

You don't have to have a cottage to enjoy the heavenly scented lavender. Our 2015 Lavender is ready for sale. Lavender is very popular here in the foothills since it blooms so nicely, but is also deer resistant. So you don't have to hide it behind the garden fence.

Available in 4" size pots. "Dutch Mill", "Provence", "Grosso", and "Munstead". are the four types we carry. $4.99 per pot.

The above is a sample of the nice size plants available. Ceramic pot not included.

Organic vegetables from our farm are starting to come with more frequently. Tomatoes are still a week out, but as you can see we have loads of other summer fruits. Pickling and slicing cucumbers, garlic, "Gold Bar" squash, "Black Beauty" zucchini, and peppers. In peppers we have "Black Hungarian", "Gypsy", "Jalapeno", "Padrone" , and "Fresno Chili". Potatoes and "Rattlesnake" beans round out today selection. Oh, and lots of picked daily Basil!

Starting to see Blossom End Rot on samples of tomatoes brought in by customers. We even have it on some of our tomatoes. It also occurs on squash, and peppers. Usually the "blossom end" of the fruit develops a black spot that eventually destroys the fruit. It's very common, and fortunately an easy cure. The number one reason for it is a "calcium deficiency". Calcium is an important nutrient, that is sometimes lacking in our soil, or in the soilless mixes we use. We use a product called, Foli-Cal, which when mixed with water and applied will quickly remedy the situation. The fruit that is stricken won't get better, but new fruit will be OK! Don't delay, feed with Foli-cal today!

We are brewing compost tea today! It will be available for sale Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Bring your own clean container with tight lid, or buy 5 gallons and get a free container with lid, that you can use over and over again. $5 per gallon.

We we're going through our YouTube channel last night for the first time in a long time. Never have given it much thought but was surprised to see this short 50 second video I made a number of years ago had reached 38,300 views! Even more surprising was the majority of views are from India. I think it's time to do a few more.

We have an abundance of organically grown tomato starts. Actually more than we want to have here right now. So, tomato starts are now on sale for 1.99ea. (regular 2.99). Don't miss out as the selection is as large as it's going to be this year. Many heirlooms available.

In Spain “tapas” are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks. Tapas are designed to encourage conversation, because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. One fantastic food for tapas is The Padrón Pepper.

These small-fruited peppers originated in Galicia, northwest Spain, where the bite-sized green fruits are sauteed in olive oil and served with coarse-ground sea salt in tapas bars across the country. Also fine for pickled peppers; the heat increases as they ripen to red. The Padrón is an authentic regional variety. These peppers are grown along the banks of the river Ulla and its tributary Sar, especially in the greenhouses of the municipality of Padrón, hence the name. This pepper is also currently grown in various places of southern Spain and Morocco.

We have limited supply of organically grown Padrón started plants for 2.99 ea. We also have over 10 different varieties of peppers available.

The "Black Krim" Tomato originates from the Isle of Krim in the Black Sea, near the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine. Soldiers returning home from the Crimean War, in the late 19th century, gathered these seeds and began sharing them.

A true 'beefsteak' tomato, since the fruits are both large with a very 'meaty' but with juicy firm, delicious flesh. A favorite out here on The West Coast for sandwiches, many say it's "ugly" looking. I find it intriguing, and pleasantly unlike the almost to perfect looking red tomatoes we see in the store. Besides, its flavor makes it well worth it's unique appearance.

They are not always easy to find in the grocery store so most people grow them to assure a steady supply during the summer, and fall. Since they are an heirloom type of tomato, the seeds can be saved and planted next season. It’s one of our more popular varieties at the nursery and our home where we can grill them on the BBQ.

Considered by chefs as the best paste tomato in the world. Compared to the Roma Tomato, San Marzano tomatoes are thinner and more pointed. The flesh is much thicker with fewer seeds, and the taste is stronger, sweeter and less acidic. Also, unlike the Roma Tomato San Marzano vines are indeterminate and have a somewhat longer season than other paste tomato varieties. As is typical of heirloom plants, San Marzano is an open-pollinated variety that breeds true from generation to generation, making seed saving practical for the home gardener or farmer.

According to Wikipedia, "the first seed of the San Marzano tomato came to Campania in 1770, as a gift from the Viceroyalty of Peru to the Kingdom of Naples, and that it was planted in the area that corresponds to the present commune of San Marzano sul Sarno. They come from a small town of the same name near Naples, Italy, and were first grown in volcanic soil in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

In the United States, San Marzano tomatoes are the genetic base for another popular paste tomato, the Roma Tomato. The Roma is a cross between a San Marzano and two other varieties (one of which was also a San Marzano hybrid), was introduced by the USDA in 1955.

We have a limited quantity of organically grown San Marzano starts for 2.99.

Our first organically grown summer vegetable starts have arrived. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and more. While I still think its a bit early to plant for me, lots of people have warmer microclimates, or just want to give it a try. We also still have plenty of spring vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, pak choi, and peas. So whatever you decide, its time to get planting!

With new vegetable and flower seedlings going in some people are reporting what appears to be chewing going on. No pests are seen, but the leaves start to look like swiss cheese with all the holes. This pictures shows the classic damage from "earwigs", or "pincer bugs". The reason they are not seen during the day is they are nocturnal (operate at night) and come sunrise they hide under rocks, hay, potted plants, just about anywhere it's dark.

Here at the nursery we use "Sluggo Plus" to get prevent and get rid of earwig damage. Sluggo Plus is the safest and most effective killer and barrier of snails and slugs we have ever used here at the nursery. Its active ingredient is iron phosphate, which is completely safe for pets and wildlife. (It also contains a small amount of spinosad, which is what kills the earwigs.) And as it decomposes, it becomes a fertilizer your garden will really appreciate! Available in 1lb, and 2.5 lb sizes. 1 lb will treat up to 2000 sq. ft.

Interesting article in The Sacramento Bee concerning whether to garden this year because of the drought. It follows the same thinking we have here at the nursery. Use water to grow your food, and make cut backs in the ornamental side of the garden. From the article, "How much water do tomatoes need? Or more specifically, how much does a full-size fruit-bearing tomato plant need to get through a Sacramento summer while providing a good crop of flavorful tomatoes? The average is 5 gallons a week – less than that needed by a square foot of lawn." Wow!

The article continues, "In the vegetable garden, opt for lower-water crops such as legumes (garbanzo beans, limas, tepary beans, etc.), cucumbers, melons, cantaloupe and squash. Skip the corn (it takes more water than lawn), but concentrate on crops that produce a lot of food with what water they get. That includes peppers, eggplant and, of course, tomatoes."

There is no question that growing your own healthy, safe food is the right thing to do, drought or not. We must eat, and either you, or some farmer in the Central Valley is going to use that water to grow or raise that food.

Soil Moist Natural is a grafted starch polymer designed to reduce plant waterings by 50% and last in the soil for an entire season. The organic starch in Soil Moist Natural is derived from corn. Soil Moist Natural is completely safe and biodegradable. The product will hold several hundred times it weight in tap water and readily releases it back to the plant as the soil dries out. Ideal for hanging baskets, annual beds and vegetables.

Use 1 teaspoon per 10" container. The product must be incorporated into the soil at the root level.

We have been looking for a way to compost all our kitchen scraps, including meat, bones, coffee, and dairy. Whatever method we use it cannot smell bad as we want to keep it right in the kitchen for convenience. We think the answer is with The Bokashi Bucket.

The Bokashi Bucket comes to us from Hawaii, and harnesses the power of beneficial microbes using anaerobic (no oxygen) to break down the food waste. It's 100% natural and 100% safe for people, plants and the environment. The Bokashi Bucket turns your food waste into a nutrient-rich compost that your plants, tress and lawn will love. Dirt ain't cheap anymore. Why buy it when you can make it!

The complete Bokashi Bucket home composting system includes everything you need to get started with Bokashi composting.

Each Bokashi Bucket System includes:

Bokashi Bucket

1 bag Bokashi Activator Mix

Strainer Plate

Smasher Tool

We just ordered some and should have the first shipment in a week. We are looking to see if people are interested, as we will order more based on that interest. Let us know if you would like us to order you one. You can also come to the store and pick one up starting in a week. Cost for the system, $69.99

Here is a link to the companies website where you can find out more about The Bokashi Bucket